Artificial intelligence brings new challenges and opportunities for cinema
The National Center of Cinematography brought together film professionals to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the audiovisual industry and why Albania needs a clear legal framework for its use. During a roundtable held as part of the International AI Film Festival, filmmakers and experts, including director Fatmir Koçi, …
World literature exhibition brings global classics to Albania’s National Library
TIRANA, July 16 – Albania’s National Library has opened an exhibition titled “World Literature Championship” at the “Sotir Kolea” center, inviting visitors to explore a different kind of competition during the final days of the World Football Championship. The exhibition presents some of the greatest authors of world literature and …
Egnatia secure historic Champions League qualification with big win over Petrocub
TIRANA, July 16 – Albanian champions Egnatia have reached the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Moldova’s champions Petrocub 6-1 in the return leg at the “Arena Egnatia”. The Rrogozhina-based team had drawn 1-1 in the first leg away from home. However, Egnatia delivered a dominant …
Albania submits third reform agenda report to European Commission
TIRANA, July 16 – Albania has submitted the third reporting cycle of its Reform Agenda to the European Commission under the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF). The State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC) submitted the report, which includes 38 reform measures across 5 policy areas. Meanwhile, the …
EU ambassador Gonzato calls for irreversible justice reform in Albania
TIRANA, July 16 – European Union Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato said the Justice Reform must become irreversible as Albanian justice institutions reviewed the progress of the 2024–2030 Cross-Sectoral Justice Strategy. The Ministry of Justice organised the discussion with the participation of heads of justice institutions. The EU Delegation in …
Germany and European Union provide €13.5 million for Albania’s food safety reforms
TIRANA, July 16 – Albania’s Parliament reviewed an agreement with Germany that will support a €13.5 million food safety project for 2026–2030, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said on Thursday. Salla presented the bill ratifying the 2025 Technical Cooperation Agreement with Germany. He said the agreement provides the …
AI-backed “Smart City” project enters implementation phase, PM Rama says
TIRANA, July 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s “Smart City” project marks a new stage in strengthening public security through artificial intelligence. Speaking at the project’s Command and Control Center, Rama said the system is now entering implementation and will gradually expand across the country. He said artificial …
Seven Seas Splendor cruise ship makes first call at Port of Durrës
TIRANA, July 16 – The Seven Seas Splendor cruise ship, operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, arrived at the Port of Durrës for the first time with about 650 passengers on board. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the ship’s arrival on social media. He said company representatives praised …
Albania Closes First EU Chapters, Hard Tests Ahead
The provisional closure of three negotiating chapters represents an important milestone for Albania. Yet the Brussels conference also showed that the country’s further progress will depend on difficult reforms concerning the rule of law, environmental protection and the implementation of European standards. Tirana Times, July 16, 2026 – Albania provisionally …
Government approves procedure for public announcement of underwater cultural discoveries
The Albanian government has approved a new procedure for the public announcement of cultural heritage assets discovered at sea, strengthening the protection and preservation of the country’s underwater cultural heritage. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said Albania’s location along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, together with its …
TIRANA, July 28 – The General Director of Taxes, Ilir Binaj, said farmers are using the 10% VAT refund scheme without major problems. He expects applications to increase as the tax administration expands information campaigns and training sessions across the country. At a joint press conference with Finance Minister Petrit …
TIRANA, July 28 – President Bajram Begaj met with Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman to discuss relations between Albania and Croatia. The two officials focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the countries. During the meeting, they highlighted Croatia’s continued support for Albania’s European integration. They …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova Acting President Albulena Haxhiu met Admiral George Wikoff, commander of the NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples. The officials discussed the security situation in Kosova, cooperation with the Kosova Force, and coordination with NATO. According to a social media statement, Haxhiu thanked Admiral Wikoff for …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi, together with the Director of the Albanian Road Authority (ARRSH), Ami Kozeli, inspected construction works on the Tirana Bypass, where more than 30% of the physical works have been completed so far. Karakaçi described …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s economy continued on a stable path of growth and consolidation during the first half of 2026, with fiscal and macroeconomic indicators confirming positive performance. The statement was made by Finance Minister Petrit Malaj during a joint press conference with the …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”22c76d51-a78e-491f-9b30-e3ad362ab21d” data-turn-id-container=”22c76d51-a78e-491f-9b30-e3ad362ab21d” data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s State Police has warned citizens about a rise in fraudulent messages and links circulating on WhatsApp that are designed to take control of users’ accounts. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> According to the police, scammers typically …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”7a9984ca-128a-443c-94f4-38c3ac5ba0a9″ data-turn-id-container=”7a9984ca-128a-443c-94f4-38c3ac5ba0a9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-9″ data-turn=”user”> The US Embassy in Tirana has shared a story on X highlighting the enduring relationship between Albania and the United States across generations. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> In its post, the embassy said the 104-year friendship …
Just hours after the arrest of two Serbian suspects, Kosovo Police special units and teams from the Institute of Forensic Medicine were deployed to the municipality of Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo. Excavations were carried out in the village of Kalludër e Vogël following suspicions that the site may contain …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Basic Court in Pristina has acquitted Skenderaj Mayor Sami Lushtaku of all charges related to witness intimidation. Lushtaku, a senior figure in Kosovo’s Democratic Party (PDK), had been indicted in the “Drenica 1” case alongside seven other defendants. Presiding Judge …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova’s acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca called on the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague to deliver a judicial decision, not a political one, regarding the upcoming ruling on former Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. The court is scheduled to issue its decision on September 16. …